Chapter Three.

Behind Those Pale Eyes.

The moment I caught the sight of Hyuga Neji's half-naked body, it was as if my whole system shut down. I couldn't move, all I was able to do was scream. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

To my surprise, the usual stoic Captain Hyuga reacted in a manner I didn't expect him to. His deep voice joined my desperate scream. He had shock all over his features. His widened pale eyes stared at me while his hands clutched onto the towel wrapped around his waist. And then the room was filled with silence. He finally spoke. "What the hell are you doing in here?", The expression he had just a moment ago was already washed out. His face was blank once more.

At that time, I didn't have a clue to what I should say. He was so intimidating, I didn't have the courage to answer him. "U-uhm.. I'm s-sorry Captain.", I stammered, trying to avoid his eyes. Looking down, I suddenly found the floor tiles fascinating. Maybe I could count them to keep me busy.

"Look at me. What are you doing here?", Though I tried my hardest to distract myself, his tone got me staring right into his face. Right then, I saw something uncertain in his eyes. A hint of embarrassment? or was that hatred? I honestly have no idea. Well, when you think about it, why would the great Hyuga Neji be embarrassed just because someone happened to see him half naked? I know this sounds ridiculous, but with a body like his, what's there to be shy about?

"This is the locker room. Do you have problems in reading? The sign was clear wasn't it? ", he said in a stern voice, then gesturing to the plaque that hung on the shower room's door, his face twisting into a frown. That was when I finally came back to my senses. Yes, he may probably be the most good looking guy around this campus (and yes, this is a big campus), but that doesn't really mean that he's the type of person to let things like this go easily. In fact, I have no idea as to what type of person he is. All I know is that Captain Hyuga is sort of a jerk. And as much as I want to kick him right in the gut, something told be that Principal Tsunade would not be that happy to see me again, especially since my last visit was less than three hours ago.

I straightened myself and gathered up all my courage and looked him in the eye. Hopefully I won't stutter this time, and hopefully, this urge to punch him square in the face would fade. "I'll be going then". See. This is how awesome I am, I might actually have better self-control than that girl in the vampire story all the girls were talking about.

And with that, I turned around and went for the door. I grabbed the silver door knob and swung it inwards, then I saw the whole basketball team with their ears pressed to the area where the door was before. Great.

"Uchiha! Uzumaki! Take her.", I heard Captain Hyuga call them from behind me. Immediately, everyone of them straightened up and were all wearing their serious faces.

"Yes Captain!", the two juniors answered at the same time. Out of nowhere, Captain Hyuga grabbed me by the shoulder then pushed me out the locker room. After that, he slammed the door so loud, it made the sudden silence of the room scary.

And that was when I realized that Hyuga Neji is one big jerk. Pushing a girl like that. What was that about? As if I intentionally went in there knowing he's in the shower. The nerve.

"Uhm, Tenten.. sorry about that.. Captain's not usually like that though.. I don't know what's gotten into him..", Naruto had his cerulean eyes on the floor. He was actually adorable when he wasn't hyperactive.

"Maybe he's on his period.", I answered jokingly, rolling my eyes. Everyone burst into laughter, even Uchiha Sasuke was chuckling. But the mood was immediately killed when the locker room door swung open. A now fully clothed Hyuga Neji was leaning on the door frame, staring at me. What does he want now? I stared at him for a good four seconds. Maybe I'm making things up, but I saw something in his eyes, something I can't really explain.

"W-what are you looking at?", I asked him, trying to keep my knees from shaking. Hell, Tenten, you are a taekwondo master, you can take him.

"Hn.", and with that, he walked past us and made his way towards the gym's steel doors. He grabbed on to the metal handles with both hands. "PRACTICE IS OVER.", he pulled the handles and went out the door.

What was that about? He was pissed alright. And yes, it was all my fault. He may be a jerk, but I can't have him cutting out practice time for the team because of this. Team manager's job to take care of the team right?

I went out the door and I quickly looked around, hoping to see his long brown hair. I ran a little further, into the back of the gym, and then I saw him. He was leaning against the only tree in that area, his arms were crossed over his chest, and his eyes were staring at particularly nowhere.

"Captain! Practice isn't over in an hour!", I casually said, maybe if I avoided talking about emotions and the like, he'd hear me out. I figure he's not the type of guy who talks a lot anyway.

He didn't move. "I said practice is over, didn't I?"

"I'm sorry alright? I just wanted the team to have a good laugh.", I walked over to him, to the point that I was just two steps away. He turned to me, finally.

"Hn.", he lifted himself from his leaning position, looking at me in the eyes.

"I'm sorry if I made fun of you or what. I-I'm just sorry, I was so wrong then.. I know it's my first day and you're the captain and-", then he cut me off.

"There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm just in no mood for basketball.", he turned his back and started walking away. This was getting frustrating. I have no idea what this guy's problem is, I already apologized right? Isn't a sincere apology enough?

"How could you be in no mood? The play offs are coming Captain, you want to win right?", and then, he stopped in his tracks, and then he turned around and faced me.

"And then you should know that the team needs to focus. You saw what happened right? I need those guys to practice, not to have a good time." he took a few steps towards me. "You are a distraction. I need you to resign."

So maybe that was what I saw in his eyes. It was how much he didn't like me.